Health Skills I

Unit 101.2Aseptic Techniques

Objectives

• Identify the practices of aseptic technique and related terminology.

Terms

• Contaminated – living organism(s)

present on an animate or inanimate surface

– floors are always considered contaminated

– Septic is another term for contaminated NOT

Terms

• Clean – removal of foreign matter such as organic

material– example• fecal matter, blood, body fluids

• Sterile– free of all living microorganisms

Terms

• Autoclave– process of sterilization that uses heat and steam

under pressure to destroy all pathogens including spores and viruses

• Disinfect– removal of most pathogens through cleansing

solutions

Autoclaves

• Types of processes used:– Ethylene Oxide– Chemical Vapor– Steam

Medical Asepsis(Clean Technique)

• refers to practices or procedures used to ensure a clean environment by removing or destroying diseases causing microorganisms after each patient procedure

• Importance– healthcare worker has DUTY AND OBLIGATION

to patient to do this– must be ongoing battle

Surgical Asepsis(Sterile Technique)

• refers to all practices and precautions that ensure the environment is free of all microorganisms– aimed at destroying or stopping transmission

of ALL microorganisms– special techniques for opening sterile

packages, and working from a sterile field must be learned and practiced with precision

Principles of Aseptic Technique

• Keep sterile field within view

• Hold sterile objects above the waist

• Avoid spilling solutions on any cloth or disposable sterile drapes.

• Keep hands below shoulder level.

Use Sterile Technique

• whenever entering area of body that is not a natural route of entry

• when caring for wounds or burns, performing catheterizations, suctioning, tooth extractions, surgery, etc.

• failure to follow these guidelines could cause illness or death to patient

Patient Care Guidelines

• wash hands before and after patient care, and handling supplies

• handle dressing, bandages and tissues according to policy

• wrap damp or wet items in waterproof bags

• discard disposable items

• use equipment and supplies for one patient only

• cover breaks in skin with a sterile dressing

• prevent cross contamination

Patient Care Guidelines

• keep food and beverages clean

• floors are contaminated

• avoid raising dust– airborne– do not shake linens

• clean from least soiled to most soiled

• discard liquids directly into drain or toilet

• avoid spilling and splashing

• keep rooms bright, clean, dry, and airy

• if in question, ITS CONTAMINATED

Open Skin Lesions

– healthcare workers with draining lesions or weeping dermatitis, should refrain from direct patient care or food handling

– report condition to supervisor for direction as this may vary per facility or department

Healthcare Workers Should Be:

– *clean and neat– *wash uniform daily– *shower daily, including hair– *have short hair or secure it back– *brush teeth regularly– *proper nail care (follow policy of facility) fake

nails may grow fungus under nail deadly to patients

– *wear no jewelry

Handle Equipment Properly

• failure to follow the guidelines for correct technique in handling of equipment could result in serious infections to patient or healthcare worker

Proper CleaningSolutions:

– bacteriostatic• slows down or stops growth of bacteria

– bacteriocidal• kills bacteria

– household bleach solution• 1:10 ratio • kills all pathogens on objects and surfaces cleansed with

solution• must be made fresh daily

– iodine and alcohol• frequently used on skin for disinfecting

Handwashing

– *prevents spreading infection– *wash before gloving and after removal of

gloves– *wash before & after every patient contact &

after exposure to blood or body fluids– *single most important procedure to prevent

the spread of disease!

Handwashing

– *use 3 - 5 ml. of soap– *vigorous friction

rubbing not to exceed 15 seconds

– *rinse with fingers pointed down

– *dry fingertips to wrist– *shut off faucet with

clean towel

Sanitation ofEquipment

– clean contaminated, reusable equipment by cleansing with soap/water & brush. Rinse & dry thoroughly before packaging & sterilizing

– sterilize reusable equipment that will invade the body or mucous membrane

– disinfect reusable equipment used for non-invasive procedures

Knowledge Assessment

• Compare and contrast the terms contaminated, clean, and sterile.

• List the types of autoclaved processes used.• List the principles of aseptic technique.• Understand the principles of patient care

guidelines involving asepsis.• Contrast the different cleaning solutions.• Identify key components in hand washing

considerations and technique.